The Sushi FAQ - Know before you order

[Steve Bildermann]

Beginning as a method of preserving fish centuries ago, sushi has evolved into an artful, unique dining experience. In its earliest form, dried fish was placed between two wads of vinegared rice as a way of making it last. The nori (seaweed) was added later as a way to keep one's fingers from getting sticky. Technically, the word 'sushi' refers to the rice, but colloquially, the term is used to describe a finger-size piece of raw fish or shellfish on a bed of vinegared rice.

http://www.sushilinks.com/faq.html

Chirashi-zushi



Fish of Death

Pufferfish, called "fugu" in Japanese, is considered the fish of death among sushi aficionados. It is a seasonal dish served typically in December and January.

One of the common ways to serve it is raw in wafer thin slices, often arranged on an exquisite platter to resemble the petals of a chrysanthemum, the flower of death in Japan.

[Ptyx]

I saw some fugus in aquariums when i was visiting Tokyo, probably one of the coolest looking fish in the world. It's the one and only fish i think i could be friend with. Look at the pic it almost has a human face.

[Alcazar]

Steve, I have a cool sushi story-earlier this year I was with some of my school-era friends in the city and I introduced one of them to sushi for the first time ever. It had smoked salmon and avacado inside. I got him to try it with lots of wasabi and soy sauce like how I eat it-and he really liked it.
(I absolutely love wasabi, I think it is the best part)

Now this friend knows nothing about Japan or anything, but since I introduced him to sushi, he has eaten it practically everyday during his work lunch break in the city since then. Almost everyday since January!

I was wondering, do you and other FG here eat sushi practically everyday in Japan, or are you just sick of it? For myself who only gets to eat sushi maybe a few times a year, I plan to eat a lot when I go there. Is sushi no longer seen as special to you FG in Japan because you eat it so often?

[GomiGirl]

I eat inari-zushi nearly everyday.. It is really yummy!! also I often have maki for lunch.

[AssKissinger]

I eat sushi about once a week. I hate wasabi and I'm not that crazy about soy sauce so I season it with lemon juice and tabasco. My wife thought this was totally crazy at first but now she is used to it.

[Alcazar]

I am jealous of the fact you guys and girls get to eat fantastic food everyday! J-food is one of the biggest reasons for my wanting to go to spend some time in Japan.

AssKissinger, that's a new way of eating sushi. I could eat the lemon, but the tabasco thing-thats too hot for me.

GomiGirl, do you ever feel like eating vegemite in Japan? I think I will take some with me to use over time and for some Japanese people to try-I'll give them really small amounts spread on something so they don't get overwhelmed by it.

[cstaylor]

I recommend you try shirako, warm.

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

[kamome]

...I introduced one of them to sushi for the first time ever. It had smoked salmon and avacado inside. I got him to try it with lots of wasabi and soy sauce like how I eat it-and he really liked it.
(I absolutely love wasabi, I think it is the best part)

Smoked salmon and avocado don't count as traditional sushi ingredients (although I agree it's very tasty). Have your friend try it raw. Also, were you eating nigiri-zushi or maki-zushi?

[Big Booger]

What's your favorite sushi?

Mine's Hamachi or tai (red snapper).. depending on the day..



Uni used to be my favorite.. till I got some that was a bit old and had a case of Montezuma-sans revenge.

[kotatsuneko]

top tip ^^ when going to a real sushi joint , as in not kaiten, using the correct lingo for stuff like shoyu, tea etc can occasionally get you a freebie or a better part of the fish..

[Alcazar]

Have your friend try it raw.

He has apparently tried all the different types there so he would have got some raw stuff.

Also, were you eating nigiri-zushi or maki-zushi?

Kamone, I actually had to look that up to find out, I didn't know the different names. It is basically all 'maki-zushi'-I like that because it is easier to eat without it falling apart.

top tip ^^ when going to a real sushi joint , as in not kaiten, using the correct lingo for stuff like shoyu, tea etc can occasionally get you a freebie or a better part of the fish..

I'll have to do that, I have never been to an exclusively sushi restaurant-I thought a kaiten was it!-Shows how much I know.

[cstaylor]

All of the good places I've been to serve their sushi like sashimi on rice (no nori). Anyone here had fugu? I had it once in Kyoto... very good, usually served with a special salt.

[Ptyx]

What's your favorite sushi?

Mine's Hamachi or tai (red snapper).. depending on the day..

Mine's Buri (yellowtail), apparently it's the "wild" version of Hamachi. If you like Hamachi you'll probably love Buri.

http://www.japanweb.co.uk/listing/b.htm

A type of yellowtail, this fish has several names depending on the age, and is called different names in different places. More recent naming conventions dictate that a farmed fish is called Hamachi and a wild fish is called Buri.

[Big Booger]

I'll have to have a taste of this buri. Sounds like a taste worth savoring. I have had kampachi..


Which I like as well, but it is slightly tougher than Hamachi, at least the variety I had not too tough, just chewy.

Buri and Fugu are on my list of to trys... One thing I highly recommend is (not sushi but interesting nonetheless) is shika nabe. I might have mentioned it before.. but it is very tasty.. deer meat hotpot.. mmm mmm mmm.

[cstaylor]

Do you find that in Nara?

[American Oyaji]

My favorite is maguro and shake (tuna and salmon)

[Big Booger]

Are we talking the salmon, with just the salmon. Or are we talking the torched salmon with negi on the top? Or are we talking the salmon with tamanegi and Mayo on the top? I have seen other varities of salmon, some with the skin, some without.. some wrapped around the rice like a log and zipped up in a wakame blanket with goma all over the rice..

Let's gets salmon.

[kamome]

[Naniwan Kid]

I actually probably eat sushi more in America than in Japan...it's just too damn expensive here, and the 100 yen kaiten sushi places usually taste like ass.

[Big Booger]

I actually probably eat sushi more in America than in Japan...it's just too damn expensive here, and the 100 yen kaiten sushi places usually taste like ass.

I've been to one joint back in the states in Memphis actually that served excellent sushi. Most of the other places I had sushi at in the states was horrible and ridiculously expensive.

[kamome]

I now an incredible sushi place located right at Santa Monica airport in Los Angeles. Weird location, but great sushi. The celebs in-the-know go there too. Expensive, though.

[Steve Bildermann]

I now an incredible sushi place located right at Santa Monica airport in Los Angeles. Weird location, but great sushi. The celebs in-the-know go there too. Expensive, though.

Try Sushi on Tap / Fri & Sat - 818-985-2254 Near Universal Studios

11056 Ventura Blvd., Studio City]Sushi on Tap is a stylish sushi bar in a Studio City mini-mall, a tap-dance-themed place with bright posters on the walls, tap documentaries flickering silently on the video screens that dot the room, and saccharine versions of jazz standards floating out of the speakers overhead. The three sushi chefs, knives flashing in what seem like spotlights, look like a dance troupe in their tight tees and flowing pants, all dancer's musculature and balletic grace.[/quote]

http://www.laweekly.com/ink/98/31/counter-gold.php

Tell 'em Steve from Nagoya sent you....no hold it better not